392kW electric super Merc coming

2009-07-17 10:01

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Mercedes has revealed that its AMG performance division is developing an electric drive derivative of its upcoming SLS AMG. A production version is to hit the road in 2015.

It will be powered by four electric motors with a combined peak output of 392kW and a maximum torque of 880Nm. The four electric motors are positioned near the wheels, substantially reducing un-sprung mass compared to wheel-hub motors. One transmission per axle transmits the power.

This intelligent all-wheel-drive system allows dynamically optimised power transmission without any losses by means of Torque Vectoring – in other words the specifically targeted acceleration of individual wheels.

In its first pilot phase, the SLS AMG with electric drive incorporates a liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery of modular design with an energy content of 48 kWh and a capacity of 40 Ah. The 400-volt battery is charged by means of targeted recuperation during braking whilst the car is being driven.

Mercedes claims a zero to 100 km/h time of about 4 seconds, which is on par with that of the SLS AMG with a 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 420 kW.

The purely electric drive system was factored into the equation as early as the concept phase when the new swing-wing model was being developed by Mercedes-Benz and AMG.

It is ideally packaged for the integration of the high-performance, zero-emission technology: by way of example, the four electric motors and the two transmissions can be positioned near the wheels and very low down in the vehicle.

The same applies to the modular high-current battery, whose modules are located in front of the firewall, in the centre tunnel and behind the seats. Advantages of this solution include the vehicle's low centre of gravity and the balanced weight distribution – ideal conditions for optimum handling, which the electrically powered SLS AMG shares with its petrol-driven sister model.

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